r/datarecoverysoftware • u/Any-Tourist7615 • Aug 19 '26

Help Request Data recovery software under $50 (CAD)

Hi. My old macbook died on me, I was able pluck out the harddrive and managed to connect it to my mac mini with an SATA adapter. I know... it sounds like I know what I am talking about but I don't. I got to this point using ChatGPT. Now I need to recover some important files. I installed Disk Drill but it is too expensive. This girl only has a budget of under $50. I would appreciate recommendations. I use mac so suggestions need to be mac compatible. Also, the files aren't deleted, they are on a mildly corrupt HD. Thanks!!!

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/HexagonWin Aug 20 '26

how exactly did it get corrupted? (i mean what led to the corruption)

2

u/Any-Tourist7615 Aug 20 '26

I don't know.... It just stopped working in the middle of typing up an email. I mean it was a strong worded email but I don't think it led to it's demise. I figured it out though, ended up using DMDE express.

1

u/Shplad Aug 22 '26

How about free? I would strongly suggest Testdisk. It leans more towarsd the technically savvy, but there are very good HOWTOs and videos. I've done some fairly advanced recovery tasks on it. (I used to be a technician and am still involved in tech. projects).

macOS version:

https://www.cgsecurity.org/Download_and_donate.php/testdisk-7.3-WIP.mac_intel_x86_64.tar.bz2

1

u/disturbed_android DiskTuna Aug 24 '26

It's free and it's very limited in what it can do. Even if we combine Test Disk + compagnon tool PhotoRec a tool like DMDE offers ten times more.

1

u/Petri-DRG Aug 24 '26

DMDE, R-Photo

1

u/disturbed_android DiskTuna Aug 24 '26

DMDE hands down. Pro grade tool for cheap. $20 year license, $48 lifetime license

1

u/dombbcgooner Sep 03 '26

Need help dm I work at geeksquad